Escape from War : Frank's Story/Hannah's Story (My Side of the Story) - Softcover

James Riordan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0753409712 ISBN 13: 9780753409718

Publisher: Gardners Books, 2005

Synopsis

My Side of the Escape from War [Paperback] Riordan, James

About this title

About the Author

James Riordan's first novel, Sweet Children was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Award, and won the NASEN Special Educational Needs Award. James specialises in historical fiction and myth retelling. He won the Urals Peace Prize for The Mistress of the Copper Mountain, a collection of folktales. He has had many other books published by OUP, Macmillan, Barefoot and Chrysalis, amongst others. Jim lives in Southsea, Hants.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. In parallel narratives Riordan recounts the intersecting stories of Frank, an English boy, and Hannah, a German Jewish refugee, as they endure the hardships of World War II. Frank and his sister, Violet, are evacuated from London to the countryside to stay with widow Pittaway, who has also taken in Hannah, a Kindertransport participant. Riordan successfully portrays the historical period from two sides, although a major discrepancy in views comes from Frank's misunderstanding of Hannah's situation (and some latent anti-Semitism) rather than any real difference of opinion. Rather than character driven, the story seems meant to acquaint readers with the major events of World War II in Europe; indeed, Frank and Hannah could easily represent any number of children of their generation. The instruction to read Frank's version of events first is quite helpful; his story intentionally leaves holes in the narrative that make Hannah's recitation fresher and more interesting. A good choice for history students or for English classes studying point of view. Kay Weisman
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Edition details

• Publisher: Gardners Books
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0753409712
• ISBN 13: 9780753409718
• Binding: Paperback